DEAR SIR:—­Your favor of
13th February, addressed to me at Perrysburgh,
was not received until yesterday; having removed
to this place, the letter was not forwarded as it
should have been. In reply to your inquiry
respecting Henry Bibb, I can only say that about
the year 1838 I became acquainted with him at
Perrysburgh—­employed him to do some work
by the job which he performed well, and from his apparent
honesty and candor, I became much interested in him.
About that time he went South for the purpose, as was
said, of getting his wife, who was there in slavery.
In the spring of 1841, I found him at Portsmouth
on the Ohio river, and after much persuasion,
employed him to assist my man to drive home some
horses and cattle which I was about purchasing
near Maysville, Ky. My confidence in him was such
that when about half way home I separated the
horses from the cattle, and left him with the
latter, with money and instructions to hire what
help he wanted to get to Perrysburgh. This
he accomplished to my entire satisfaction. He
worked for me during the summer, and I was unwilling
to part with him, but his desire to go to school
and mature plans for the liberation of his wife,
were so strong that he left for Detroit, where
he could enjoy the society of his colored brethren.
I have heard his story and must say that I have
not the least reason to suspect it being otherwise
than true, and furthermore, I firmly believe,
and have for a long time, that he has the foundation
to make himself useful. I shall always afford
him all the facilities in my power to assist
him, until I hear of something in relation to him to
alter my mind.

Yours in the cause of truth,
J.W. SMITH

When I arrived at Perrysburgh, I went to work for
Mr. Smith for several months. This family I found
to be one of the most kind-hearted, and unprejudiced
that I ever lived with. Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived
up to their profession.

I resolved to go to Detroit, that winter, and go to
school, in January 1842. But when I arrived at
Detroit I soon found that I was not able to give myself
a very thorough education. I was among strangers,
who were not disposed to show me any great favors.
I had every thing to pay for, and clothing to buy,
so I graduated within three weeks! And this was
all the schooling that I have ever had in my life.

W.C. Monroe was my teacher; to him I went about
two weeks only. My occupation varied according
to circumstances, as I was not settled in mind about
the condition of my bereaved family for several years,
and could not settle myself down at any permanent
business. I saw occasionally, fugitives from
Kentucky, some of whom I knew, but none of them were
my relatives; none could give me the information which
I desired most.

CHAPTER XVII.

Letter from W.H. Gatewood.—­My reply.—­My
efforts as a public lecturer.—­Singular
incident in Steubenville—­Meeting with a
friend of Whitfield in Michigan.—­Outrage
on a canal packet.—­Fruitless efforts to
find my wife.